Koori coast

Seeing environmental changes

Graham Moore talks about changes he has seen over a period of thirty years living and working in the bush.

Graham Moore,
Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer.


Swift parrot
Swift Parrot. Photo: Ian Thomas

The Swift Parrot is listed as a threatened species by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change. One of ten strategies to help recover the Swift Parrot is to consult and involve Aboriginal people.

  Over a period of time it was very slow change. But I’ve noted that within the last three years to two years in particular that there’s been a huge change, major changes within a short period of time. The sort of things I’m talking about, two or three lots of flying ants within a short period of time. Flowers or fruits that are coming early, or late, or not at all. These sorts of things make big effects, because as I said to you before the bird systems coming from the escarpment country. I know when they’re here and we see them that there’s going to be other fruits and different types that will follow on from that species of tree, and that’s not happening. Some of the birds are coming down confused too. Just quickly, the Swift Parrot comes down from over the escarpment country and they come down here, and they should be here in about a month, a couple of months or so. But I noticed last year that there was hardly any. Hardly any at all down this area. So that’s one bird in particular that we’re seeing less of, and that’s because of food sources. Graham Moore

Link: Jimmy and Annette Scott also talk about seeing changes in the environment

External link: Swift Parrot profile on the NSW DECC threatened species site